Warmer weather adds spark to Live and Local Goshen First Fridays

Goshen's music scene continues to grow thanks in part to the spark supplied by Ignition Music.

Mark Shephard

Posted on March 8, 2014 at 10:25 a.m.

GOSHEN -- “It’s a nice change. It’s great to be out,” said Caleb Borke of Elkhart, who with his pregnant wife Angela and infant daughter Kaeli were thankful for a touch of warmth to go along with a musically Live and Local-themed Goshen First Fridays.

The Borke’s were on their way to listen to some more music after having come from the grand opening of The Exchange above Menno Travel Service, where they had enjoyed some food while listening to the trio Drop the Dawg play a combination of bluegrass and jazz.

"It's about time," said Rich Stouder of Goshen about the warmer weather. Stouder and his golden retriever Cocoa basked in the sunshine as they waited at the corner of South Main and Washington streets on their way to the Electric Brew for a cappuccino.

Camden Chaffe, 13, of Dunlap brought a whole different type of warmth to Ignition Music Garage, where the talented teenager was opening for three free, live acts. “It really means a lot to me to come in here and play,” said Chaffe, who with his acoustic guitar played and sang old Neil Young standards along with other icons’ songs.

“I think we have a growing music scene here,” said Chaffe, and as evidenced by the musicians of every stripe who played churches, restaurants, museums and other venues Friday night, the Goshen music scene does not lack spark.